The name Red Hook Beach is only a working title. It is envisoned as part of a larger effort for the "development and operation of the Atlantic Basin". We have some photos to help imagine how the site may look. You can view them here.

Here is what the New York City Economic Development Corporation asked for in their RFEI (Request for Expression of Interest), for "ATLANTIC BASIN/BROOKLYN (NY)

– The New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”) is seeking expressions of interest for the development and operation of the Atlantic Basin (the “Site”) for uses including, but not limited to, water-borne transit, maritime support services, marine repair and refit, and/or a recreational marina. A key site in the redevelopment of the Brooklyn waterfront, the Atlantic Basin represents a unique opportunity to introduce new marine activity on the East River. Development proposals should leverage the locational advantages of the Site, provide local marine-based economic development opportunities that coordinate with surrounding planned development, and establish new public access points to the waterfront."

Here is in part are excerpts from the cover letter and executive summary of the response. The name of the proposed development is the The Brooklyn Maritime Center (BMC) at Atlantic Basin and the respondent is the award winning “green” real estate developer and New York Water Taxi Chairman Douglas Durst.

Dear Mr. Bliss:

Durst Sunset LLC has gathered a uniquely experienced team to create a vibrant mixed-use maritime redevelopment plan for Atlantic Basin. The Brooklyn Maritime Center (BMC) at Atlantic Basin will reflect Red Hooks’ history by retaining important maritime activity and creating new jobs in the maritime industry. In addition, the Brooklyn Maritime Center will invest in Red Hook’s future by adding new recreational and educational opportunities for the neighborhood.

Atlantic Basin is a critical maritime asset for New York City. The Basin is one of the few protected deep-water facilities in the Harbor, the surrounding waterfront remains in active maritime use and the adjacent neighborhood is home to a number of maritime businesses. However, Atlantic Basin is located in an increasingly vibrant neighborhood that is struggling to provide public access to the water, create new open space and expand transportation options for local residents and visitors.

To respond to this the Brooklyn Maritime Center is divided into two distinct sections – working waterfront to the north and recreational waterfront to the south. The working waterfront is adjacent to the existing maritime industry, Hamilton Avenue and inboard maritime businesses.

The recreational waterfront to the south will benefit Red Hook residents by providing new public open spaces; educational, vocational and recreational opportunities. The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway and new through streets will provide long-sought view corridors and access to the waterfront along the entire site as well as connect activity in Atlantic Basin to Van Brunt Street - the main commercial corridor in Red Hook.

The Brooklyn Maritime Center will create over 2,700 construction and permanent jobs, support the growth of waterborne transportation in New York Harbor and enhance the region’s homeland security preparedness.

The Brooklyn Maritime Center will boost tourism with its hotel, restaurants and artisan workspaces; generate new tax revenue and compliment the new Brooklyn Passengers Ship Terminal and the development of the Harbor District. In addition, the BMC will create a new gateway to Governor’s Island to assist in the City/State redevelopment effort.

In the last two decades, vessel traffic and maritime activity in New York Harbor has grown dramatically. The re-introduction of private ferries has added over 50 new high-speed aluminum ferries and water taxis to the Harbor. In addition, the return of passenger ships in large numbers has substantially increased maritime activity in the New York Harbor. Recent increases in harbor security have resulted in a wide variety of law enforcement and military vessels being deployed regularly in New York Harbor.

In addition, there are over 1,000 recreational marina slips in the Harbor and hundreds more are planned. Yet, there is no commercial maritime maintenance and repair facility in the Harbor to service these work boats and recreational vessels. The Brooklyn Maritime Center will provide critically needed support services for commercial and recreational vessels in the New York Harbor and make New York City a more welcoming place for the tens of thousands of transient mariners who pass through the harbor each year.

The BMC will also support the growth of New York City’s only waterborne transportation provider and the water taxi dock will provide a much needed transportation option for Red Hook residents and businesses and support the passenger ship terminal. The new Governors Island Brooklyn Ferry will support the redevelopment of the Island; carry construction materials and workers to the Island during reconstruction and thousands of employees and visitors after completion.

Our proposal for the Brooklyn Maritime Center will have significant benefits for Red Hook, Brooklyn and the City. The BMC will assist in the retention and expansion of the maritime industry in the Harbor, expand tourism, create new career path opportunities for Red Hook and Brooklyn residents and generate new tax revenue for the City.

Durst Sunset LLC has an experienced construction and management team and the financial capacity to make the Brooklyn Maritime Center an exciting waterfront asset for the City. Thank you for the consideration of our proposal. Should you have any questions or need additional information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely

Douglas Durst

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A. DESCRIPTION OF FACILITY

Durst Sunset LLC proposes to create a Brooklyn Maritime Center (BMC) at Atlantic Basin using the in-water portion of the Basin and all the surrounding upland property (Pier 11, Building 185, the property bounded by Pioneer and Verona Streets, Imlay and Conover Street extended and parts of Pier 10 closest to Columbia Street).  The BMC will be a fully integrated maritime facility for the storage, maintenance, supply and repair of workboats and recreational vessels facility with the following components:

• Water Taxi Beach, Red Hook - a one-acre beach, open to the public from May 15^th to October 15^th, providing new recreation opportunities for neighborhood residents and a diversity of food and drink for both residents and visitors alike.  New York Water Taxi has received a tremendous amount of public support and recognition for Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City.  The facility will be operated by Harry Hawk, who operates Water Taxi Beach and Shnack a popular restaurant on nearby Union Street.

• Homeport for New York Water Taxi (NYWT) including berthing, offices, storage and workshops.  The facility will be sized for the planned 2010 NYWT fleet with some berths leased to other work boat operators (tugs, launches, ferries, dinner boats, etc.) until the planned 2010 NYWT fleet is phased in.  The planned 2010 NYWT fleet is shown and will consist of:

                        Four small water taxis 58’ x 23’

                        Eight large water taxis 73’ x 27’

                        Two ferries 100’ x 32’

• Docking for transient work boats (tugs, ferries, law enforcement, dinner boats in and other work boats moving through the New York Harbor) with associated water, electric and pump-out capacity; (shown three vessels 100’ x 35’)

• Diesel fuel facility (250,000 gallons) for commercial work boats.  It is assumed that the facility will be part of a strategic fuel reserve for the New York Harbor.  During the first phase of development a 136’ x 36’ fuel lighter (136,000 gallons) will dock there until the permanent diesel fuel facility is designed built and installed.  Durst Sunset LLC will work with the city, state and federal governments to develop the permanent fuel facility as a critical element in regional homeland security support;

• 120-ton travel-lift with a 40’ beam.  This size travel-lift will allow the Brooklyn Maritime Center to haul the majority of the work boats and the larger recreational vessels in the New York Harbor.  New piers will be built to support the travel lift and the bulkhead and upland area directly adjacent to the travel-lift will be reinforced to increase load bearing capacity;

• Boatyard for the repair and maintenance of aluminum ferries and water taxis; work boats; fire, law enforcement and regulatory agency vessels; sail and powerboats from marinas located in the New York Harbor; and transient commercial and recreational vessels passing through the Harbor.  The boatyard will include shops and incubator space for the following:

                        - Propeller maintenance, repair and replacement

                        - Diesel engine repair

                        - Outboard engine repair

                        - Transmission repair

                        - Metal fabricator

                        - Painters

                        - Fiberglass maintenance and repair

                        - Electronics

                        - Carpentry

                        - Sail and canvas maker

                        - Offices for the following professionals:

                        - Marine Engineers

                        - Naval Architects

                        - Ship Brokers

            Shops will range from 1,500 – 3,000 ft ² and offices between 500 and 1,500 ft ².

Westrec Marine, one of the nation's largest marina operators, will operate the boatyard, in water slips, travel-lift, gas station and dry stack storage included in this proposal and a number of tenants have been secured for the proposed boatyard;

• In-water slips for 70 – 100 powerboats and sail boats ranging from 45’ to 65’ in length.  A number of these slips could be leased by yacht clubs in the region with limited access to transient slips in the Harbor such as the New York Yacht Club and yacht clubs on the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Long Island’s south shore, Raritan Bay and the New Jersey shore; 

• Emergency docking for disabled vessels such as those assisted by NYPD’s Harbor Unit or the United States Coast Guard.  In addition to the availability of refueling and repair facilities in the Brooklyn Maritime Center, New York Water Taxi’s engineering staff is on duty 24/7 providing an additional element of emergency support for vessels in distress in the New York Harbor;

• Restrooms, showers, laundry and other support services for transient vessels.  These facilities will also support vessels that are brought to the vessel in emergency situations and the use of the facilities for homeland security;

• A marine gas station to support the in-water marina, dry stack storage and transient recreational vessels.  There are limited refueling facilities for recreational vessels in the New York Harbor and none on the New York City side of the Harbor.  A marine gas station at the Brooklyn Maritime Center will attract vessels for transient dockage, repair and generate both jobs and new tax revenues for the city;

• Pump out and waste oil recycling facility for commercial and recreational vessels to ensure that this facility is the cleanest and most environmentally friendly marina facility in the region;

• Dry stack storage for approximately 350 recreational vessels ranging in size from 25’ to 45’.  The building will be approximately 120’ by 320’ and the bulkhead adjacent to the facilities will be reinforced support the heavier loads that were result from a thing vessels into the dry stack storage area.  In addition, the dry stack storage can be expanded if the market for this activity proves to be strong.  The dry stack storage provides protected storage that currently does not exist in the New York Harbor. Storing boats out of the water minimizes the possibility of in-water pollution, maximizes the ability to care for these vessels and provides a much needed year-round revenue stream for the Brooklyn Maritime Center;

• Water Taxi dock connecting the Brooklyn Maritime Center at Atlantic Basin to 11 different locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Jersey City.  The water taxi service will provide transportation for local residents and support the passenger ship terminals at Atlantic Basin, and other activities proposed for the Brooklyn Maritime Center as well as the redevelopment of Governors Island;

• Governor’s Island Brooklyn Ferry to provide alternative access and egress to the Island for construction materials, equipment and personnel during the demolition and reconstruction as well as workers, visitors, supplies and stores as the Island is redeveloped.   At this time, the only access to Governors Island is from the Battery Maritime Building in lower Manhattan.  The new Governors Island Brooklyn Ferry would reduce congestion on the bridges, tunnels and streets; enhance air-quality; and the quality of life in downtown Brooklyn and lower Manhattan.  Access to the Governors Island Ferry Brooklyn Ferry would be from Hamilton Avenue so the ferry will not add traffic to Van Brunt Street.  Hamilton Avenue has traditionally been the main entrance this working waterfront and provides direct access to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.  The new Governor’s Island Brooklyn Ferry will be a traditional open deck ferry approximately 120’ in length with a 40’ beam;

• The New York City Harbor School will provide a unique educational environment for New York City youth and a source of interns, apprentices and new employees for the assorted marine industries housed at Atlantic Basin, Piers 7 through 12 and the Red Hook community.  The Harbor School is currently located in Bushwick High School and the Department of Education and the Urban Assembly which supports this charter school are actively seeking an alternative location for the facility.  The proposed Brooklyn Maritime Center would give the Harbor School faculty and students access to the waterfront for boating, sailing and environmental activities and the BMC will give the Harbor School students educational and employment opportunities in:

                        - Passenger ship industry;

                        - Waterborne transportation industry;

                        - Marine repair and maintenance;

                        - Cargo handling; and

                        - Associated maritime professions.

The school will occupy approximately 69,000 ft.² and its recreational facilities will be made available to the local community at appropriate times;

Boat building will occupy one of the 2,000 ft.² bays that will be dedicated to marine repair and maintenance and will launch its vessels by davit in Atlantic Basin.  (New York Water Taxi believes that kayaking activities should be directed toward Valentino Pier where the beach allows easier access to the water and less potential for conflicts between commercial and recreational vessels and kayaks.);

• Docking historic vessels (two vessels shown) that will be used for educational, recreational and social functions.  Preference will be given to commercial vessels that have worked in the New York Harbor.  The owners and crew will not be allowed to live aboard and the vessels will be open to the public during agreed upon times;

• Destination spa and boutique hotel will support the nearby Brooklyn Passenger Ship Terminal, transient recreational mariners, the in-water marina and dry stack storage, boatyard patrons, and the local community.  The hotel will have approximately 200 rooms and small and large meeting rooms business meetings, weddings, special events other celebrations.  In addition, transient work boat  crews can take advantage of the close proximity of the Brooklyn Motor Inn one block from the proposed Brooklyn Maritime Center;

• New public parks.  Durst Sunset LLC will work with the New York City Department Parks and Recreation and local neighbors towards the creation of a new one-acre public waterfront park and children's playground adjacent to the Beach and a passive park along the Greenway between Bowne and Commerce Streets where the property will allow for a more expansive rest area along the Greenway complimented by bicycle lockers;

• A waterfront esplanade will be created between Verona and Pioneer streets extending along Pioneer from Conover to Ferris Street.  This esplanade will provide public access to the waterfront; complement the Greenway and activities at the adjacent Beach and waterfront park; and support access for the New York City Harbor School’s in-water boating facilities in Atlantic Basin.  However, The waterfront directly adjacent to the dry stack storage and boatyard will have restricted public access limited only to special events such as an in-water boat show.

• Waterfront connections. Connecting Bowne, Commerce, Verona and Pioneer Streets to the waterfront.  Durst Sunset LLC supports the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s vision  of reconnecting the adjacent neighborhood to the waterfront and will work with New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Transportation to facilitate the extension of Pioneer, Verona, Commerce and Bowne Streets through the Brooklyn Maritime Center to the waterfront.  This will not only open these streets to Harbor views and breezes but will facilitate public access to the working waterfront and the new waterfront esplanade and parks..

• Extending Conover Street at least as far as Hamilton Avenue, if not further, to make its connection to Columbia Street and Atlantic Avenue entrance of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.

• Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway through the site and believes that this portion of the Greenway can have several unique characteristics.  By placing the Greenway on the west side of Conover Street Extended the path can be widened to a total of widened to 41’ creating wider bicycle path.  In addition, mid-block street crossings are proposed to minimize a vehicle and bicycle and pedestrian interactions.  and create a unique meandering path through a wooded grove of trees between Bowne and Commerce Streets. 

• Work space for artisans and craftspeople, many of whom have been or are being displaced by recent rezoning of manufacturing areas in Brooklyn. 

Artisans could include:

                        Ceramicists;

                        Glass blowers;

                        Jewelers;

                        Painters;

                        Weavers;

                        Fine carpenters;

                        Sculptors;

                        Boat builders, etc.

The workshops will be housed in the first floor of the New York City Harbor School between the Brooklyn passenger ship terminal at Pier 12 and the new hotel.  This will create an new venue that complements both the passenger ship terminal and hotels and provides a potential source of revenue for artisans in the building.  Spaces will range in size for example jewelers may only need 500 ft.² where glass blowers or carpenters might 2,500 to  3,500 ft.²;

• Exhibit space for resident artisans and crafts people and groups such as the Brooklyn Waterfront Arts Coalition

• All buildings and in-water facilities will use state of the art green technology to conserve energy and recycled materials will be used to extent practicable in all construction.

Durst Sunset is also studying the possibility of including a co-generation facility to provide power for the Brooklyn Maritime Center at Atlantic Basin and ensure that it can operate in emergency situations.

B. DESIGN CONCEPT and BUILDING SYSTEMS

The overall design objectives are to link the Red Hook community to the waterfront with view corridors and safe, attractive accesses while creating an exciting, prototypical maritime venue that serves a multitude of boating, shipping, and recreational activities.

In order to create a harmonious connection between the site and the surrounding area, the proposed pedestrian and industrial functions of the site are located adjacent to like conditions in the neighborhood. The location of waterborne programs parallels the siting of pedestrian and industrial functions on land.

Leisure and pedestrian oriented functions such as a beachfront and park are located at the southeastern edge of the basin adjacent to the existing residential neighborhood and an existing park two blocks away. A water taxi terminal, recreational and historic boats are also located in this area to bring additional activity, further enhanced by a walkway to the cruise ship terminal which forms the western edge of the basin. Adjacent to the beach and new public park will be facilities such as restaurants and shops that will draw synergy from the various venues.

Across the street to the east will be a 250-room hotel with a pool deck overlooking the beachfront and providing year-round vitality to the area. At the south end of the basin will be a 3-story structure that will have craftsman/artist studio/shops on the ground floor with a new home for the Harbor School above. The school, which will provide gymnasium and auditorium facilities for neighborhood use, will utilize the basin for its boat-building and watercraft training programs.

Industrial and maritime repair/storage functions are located at the eastern and northern edges of the basin where they relate to the existing manufacturing facilities along Commerce Street and the proposed industrial complex on the piers toward the north. Marshalling for the proposed freight ferry to Governor’s Island is located at the basin’s northern edge connecting it directly to the existing truck access so as to minimize traffic through the pedestrian zones. Centered on the basin’s east side will be a 3-story dry-stack storage facility for recreational boating with related wharf and trailer-lift facilities for transient docking and maintenance operations. Immediately to the north will be a winter boat storage and maintenance facility that will service both utility and recreational craft.

Running north/south along the east side of Conover Street will be a continuation of the public greenway that is to serve bikers and strollers with an uninterrupted waterfront promenade. After it passes the beach/park areas, it will turn west and follow in front of the school and run around the cruise ship parking area back to the water’s edge. Parking for employees will be provided in the area at the north end of the site. Transient parking will be provided in a two-story structure underneath the hotel.

The architectural style of the complex will be an eclectic blend of traditional maritime utilitarianism, familiar sea-side resort expressionism, and an array of funky, weather-beaten structures and shelters that will provide a quaint, universally appealing ambience. The storage and maintenance facilities will be industrial steel structures with metal cladding and roofing, and, where exposed to public view they will be embellished with murals and other artistic treatments. The school will be of similar construction, but with a blend of masonry and translucent façade treatments.

The hotel will be a concrete flat-slab structure with masonry façade elements designed to blend harmoniously with the neighborhood. All elements of the development will be designed in a sustainable manner utilizing natural light, minimum energy use, high-quality interior environments, and green construction practices.

The landscaping will include robust native plant materials and ground covers. Hard surfaces will be appropriate to a working maritime environment and will utilize permeable materials wherever possible to enhance storm-water management.